1 Kings 3.5,7-12 | Romans 8.28-30 | Matthew 13.44-52

Together with Mother Church, we begin the seventeenth week of Ordinary Time, growing in our experience and knowledge of Jesus Christ, of the Good News of the Kingdom of Heaven, and of the mystery of the Church.

As today is the fourth Sunday of July, we celebrate the 6th World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, instituted by Pope Francis, under the theme "I will never forget you" (cf. Isaiah 49.15). Let us pray for all the elderly, that they may be respected by their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. May grandparents and the elderly—bearing the mark of a long life and gray hair—be respected in their dignity.

Today, the Evangelist Matthew speaks to us of the parables of the hidden treasure, the precious pearl, the net cast into the sea, and the treasure containing things both new and old.

Jesus is the wise Teacher who uses the pedagogical tool of parables to address the complex and profound themes of the Kingdom of Heaven and the judgment at the end of time. He speaks in language understandable to the simple people who listened to and followed Him, drawing upon elements from everyday life.

Jesus proclaimed the Good News of the Kingdom of Heaven, comparing it to a treasure and a precious pearl—that is, to something valuable and incomparable.

In short, the Kingdom of Heaven is God reigning with love, mercy, and justice in hearts, families, and social structures. There have never been, nor will there ever be, philosophies or ideologies capable of surpassing the Kingdom of Heaven. Only the Kingdom of Heaven can fully satisfy the deepest desires of the human heart.

Therefore, the best course of action is to immediately replace all philosophies and ideologies with the Kingdom of Heaven, embracing Christ’s way of life in the here and now, so that society may increasingly come to resemble the Kingdom of Heaven. 

Speaking of the judgment at the end of time and the urgent need for sinners to convert, Jesus highlighted the despair of the unrepentant wicked in the face of just condemnation. It was a matter of extreme gravity, with consequences for both the present and the future.

In other words, there was no profit in being wicked and disobeying God's commandments; it was far better to seize the opportunity offered by Christ to repent, do good, and attain eternal salvation.

Finally, Jesus spoke of the treasure containing both new and old things—surely a reference to the Jewish people and their legitimate traditions found in the sacred books, which were now opening up to the interpretations brought by Christ, aimed at recovering the forgotten foundations of the Law of Moses and the teachings of the prophets.

Let us cherish the treasure of the Holy Scriptures found in both the Old and New Testaments.

Today, the author of the First Book of Kings tells us of the young Solomon asking the Lord for wisdom.

The son of the great King David ascended his father's throne with the aim of governing Israel—God's vast chosen people—in the practice of justice. When the Lord gave Solomon the chance to ask for whatever he wished, guaranteeing that his request would be granted, he asked for an understanding heart capable of governing the people and discerning between good and evil. Thus, fulfilling His promise, the Lord gave Solomon a wise and discerning heart.

Let us follow the example of the wise King Solomon by asking God for wisdom—one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit—so that we may discern the superiority of the Kingdom of Heaven over the philosophies and ideologies of the present day.

Today, in his Letter to the Romans, the Apostle Paul speaks to us of God's saving plan for those who love Him.

The Apostle affirmed that God has always loved those who are to be saved, predestining them to be conformed to the image of Christ. By divine initiative, from all eternity, they were predestined, called, justified, and finally glorified.

In a world of such hostility, we must place our full trust in God, who makes all things work together for our good. Let us live in the joy of having been—in Christ—predestined, called, justified, and glorified by God.

The Kingdom of Heaven is the full realization of the predestination, calling, justification, and glorification of those who love God, as revealed in Jesus Christ. There is a place for everyone in the Kingdom of Heaven. Repentant sinners who forsake evil and embrace goodness, love, and justice will be most welcome.

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